Unit 6, Lesson 7
Make Halves, Thirds, and Fourths
Grade 2
Preparation
Lesson Purpose
The purpose of this lesson is for students to recognize halves, thirds, and fourths, understanding that these terms describe equal pieces of the same whole.
Lesson Narrative
In grade 1, students learned that when a shape is partitioned into 2 equal pieces, each piece is called a “half.” They learned that when a shape is partitioned into 4 equal pieces, each piece is called a “fourth” or a “quarter.”
In this lesson, students learn that when a shape is partitioned into 3 equal pieces, the pieces are called thirds. They partition shapes into halves, thirds, and fourths. The words “fourths” and “quarters” should be used interchangeably when discussing 4 equal pieces, so that students are comfortable with both terms.
- Engagement
- MLR8
- Comprehend (in spoken and written language) the meaning of “a third,” “thirds,” “halves,” and “fourths.”
- Draw to partition rectangles and circles into halves, thirds, and fourths, and explain (orally) strategies for ensuring all pieces are of equal size.
- Let’s make halves, thirds, and fourths (or quarters).
Required Preparation
Activity 1
- Each student needs 3 identical paper rectangles.
- Students could use 3 sheets of construction paper as their 3 rectangles. To save paper, construction paper could also be pre-cut into equal-size rectangles.
Teacher Reflection Questions
In grade 2, students used halves, fourths, and quarters to describe equal pieces of a shape. How did you see students use this vocabulary in today’s lesson? What support can you offer students to help them use math vocabulary to describe equal pieces of a shape.
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